Toy.



'PATE-NTBD NOV. 5, 1907;

P. A. WEBB.

TOY.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1907.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

POWHATAN A. WEBB, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO J. B.OLELAND, OF

, NEW YORK, N. Y.

TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

Application filed June 24:. 1907- Serial No. 380.602

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, POWHATAN A. WEBB, a citizen of the United States,residing at Atlanta, Fulton county, State of Georgia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Toys, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention is a combined top spinner, wheel ejector and flip staff.It relates to the class of devices which include a frame or holder forretaining a top or spinning wheel while it is being wound with theoperating cord and while it is being set in motion by a pull on thatcord.

Its object is to improve the construction of such devices whereby theycan be more conveniently handled and operated, and whereby the top orwheel can be more accurately and quickly released in any desiredposition in playing various games with the top or wheel. A furtherobject is to adapt the device for use as a staff for a flip or beanshooter.

In the accompanying drawingsFigure l is a perspective view of the holderhaving the top or wheel in position to be operated; Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the holder having the wheel removed and having theflip or bean shooter attached to the two arms of the holder in positionfor use.

The frame is made up of the two arms 1 and 2, hinged together at one endby the pivot pin 3 and having at the other end depressions 4 to receivethe pointed ends 5 and 6 of the wheel or top 7. A pin 8 is rigidlyattached to one of the arms and abuts against the other arm so as tolimit their approach to each other. Around this pin is placed the coiledspring 9 which tends to throw the arms apart on the pivot. A shortdistance below the end of the arms which support the top is placed awire 10 pivoted at 11 to one arm, and having at its other end a hookedportion at substantially right angles which fits over the other arm andnormally prevents the separation of the arms. The middle of this wirehook is bent into a circle 13 in the same plane as the arms so that thiscircular portion may serve as a thumb rest when the device is used as aflip staff.

The flip is made up of strings 14 and 15 attached to the two arms justbelow their ends and to these strings are attached the usual elasticsections 16 and 17, to which is attached the leather portion 18. It willbe noticed that the shape of the frame is such that it can be easily andconveniently grasped by the hand and can be used I as an ordinary flipstaff with the thumb resting upon the circular portion 13. The flipattached to this frame does not interfere in any way with the use of thedevice as a top spinner, since the flexible portion of the flip may bedrawn down parallel with the arms of the frame.

The operation of the device as a top spinner and wheel ejector is asfollows: The Wheel or top is placed in position with its ends held inthe depressions 4, and a string 19 is wound around the stem of the wheeland is given a pull which sets the wheel into rapid rotation. The wheelmay then be released by pressure of the thumb 12 from the arm 1. It isto be noted that as soon as the arm 1 is released the two arms fly apartunder the influ ence of the spring 9, and thus the top is quickly andaccurately released in any desired position. It may be released with theend of its spindle in vertical position, when the Wheel Will spin like atop, or it may be released in a horizontal or inclined position, whenthe rim of the wheel 7 will strike the floor and the wheel will rolleither in a straight line or in a curve, according to the position ithas when it reaches the floor. ,This accurate release is useful inplaying games with the wheel, such as ten pins. I-n playing this gamethe wheel is used in place of the ball ordinarily used in the game often pins.

I prefer to make the top in the form of a rather thin metal wheel whichhas considerable weight, and which has a shaft or axis with pointedends, attached rigidly to the wheel.

hat I claim is:

1. A frame for spinning wheels, comprising two members pivoted togetherat one end, means at the other end for receiving and holding the wheel,a spring between the two members tending to force them apart, andreleasable means for preventing the separation of the members.

2. A frame for spinning wheels, comprising two members pivoted togetherat one end, means at the other end for receiving and holding the wheel,a spring between the two members tending to force them apart, and :1connecting piece pivoted to one member and having its other end bent soas to releasably engage and hold the other member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

POVHATAN A. \VEBB,

Witnesses E. C. Lns'rnn, L. O. WHITEHEAD.

upon the connecting wire 10 which releases the hook'

